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The issue in America is that cable is hard to local loop unbundle. Unlike dsl, each cable user shares a circuit with dozens, if not hundreds of users. I don't

The issue in America is that cable is hard to local loop unbundle. Unlike dsl, each cable user shares a circuit with dozens, if not hundreds of users. I don't think it's technically feasible.

shmerl 10y ago
Coax should be gradually all replaced with fiber optics.
- astrodust 10y ago
  Here it pretty much has been but for the last quarter mile. That's still copper because I guess the break-out technology isn't free and they love their existing coax cable infrastructure. They're also able to get gigabit-type speeds over it, so I guess it's not a huge impediment.
  - shmerl 10y ago
    > they love their existing coax cable infrastructure. I think they should like passive optic networks more. Altice for example plans to upgrade Optimum hybrid fiber-coax network to full fiber optics.
    - astrodust 10y ago
      Retraining cable techs to do fiber splices rather than coax crimps isn't going to be cheap. Can you put a barrel connector on those fiber lines? I've only done datacentre grade fiber, not the stuff you'd sling outdoors. The only fiber they offer here is in condo buildings in a controlled environment.
      - shmerl 10y ago
        They'll just hire contractors. That's where it seems to be moving. Not a good situation IMHO, since quality will be lower. In practice, they rarely splice fiber optic cables. That's why you see those messy coils[1] on the poles often. 1. http://i48.tinypic.com/mvqkvq.jpg http://i48.tinypic.com/mvqkvq.jpg
- rhino369 10y ago
  Nobody will do that if they know you are waiting to force them to share with competitors. And really, we can get gigabit over coax, so I'm not really sure we do need to spend money upgrading.
  - shmerl 10y ago
    > Nobody will do that if they know you are waiting to force them to share with competitors. According to this logic, nobody would do that for water pipes and electric grid too, yet they are working. Local loop unbundling clearly works in many places already.
astrodust 10y ago
"Cable" often means "pole access rights". Very few companies have this, it's very tightly restricted, and by design. Normally it's telecom, cable, electric and nobody else. If you made access to poles easier you'd have more competition. You'd also have a lot more wiring, pedestals and failure points, but hey.

The issue in America is that cable is hard to local loop unbundle. Unlike dsl, each cable user shares a circuit with dozens, if not hundreds of users. I don't think it's technically feasible.

shmerl 10y ago

Coax should be gradually all replaced with fiber optics.

astrodust 10y ago
Here it pretty much has been but for the last quarter mile. That's still copper because I guess the break-out technology isn't free and they love their existing coax cable infrastructure. They're also able to get gigabit-type speeds over it, so I guess it's not a huge impediment.
- shmerl 10y ago
  > they love their existing coax cable infrastructure. I think they should like passive optic networks more. Altice for example plans to upgrade Optimum hybrid fiber-coax network to full fiber optics.
  - astrodust 10y ago
    Retraining cable techs to do fiber splices rather than coax crimps isn't going to be cheap. Can you put a barrel connector on those fiber lines? I've only done datacentre grade fiber, not the stuff you'd sling outdoors. The only fiber they offer here is in condo buildings in a controlled environment.
    - shmerl 10y ago
      They'll just hire contractors. That's where it seems to be moving. Not a good situation IMHO, since quality will be lower. In practice, they rarely splice fiber optic cables. That's why you see those messy coils[1] on the poles often. 1. http://i48.tinypic.com/mvqkvq.jpg http://i48.tinypic.com/mvqkvq.jpg
rhino369 10y ago
Nobody will do that if they know you are waiting to force them to share with competitors. And really, we can get gigabit over coax, so I'm not really sure we do need to spend money upgrading.
- shmerl 10y ago
  > Nobody will do that if they know you are waiting to force them to share with competitors. According to this logic, nobody would do that for water pipes and electric grid too, yet they are working. Local loop unbundling clearly works in many places already.

astrodust 10y ago

"Cable" often means "pole access rights". Very few companies have this, it's very tightly restricted, and by design. Normally it's telecom, cable, electric and nobody else. If you made access to poles easier you'd have more competition. You'd also have a lot more wiring, pedestals and failure points, but hey.